South Downs Way
A walk along the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex from Winchester in the West to Eastbourne on the East Coast.
The South Downs Way runs along the length of the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex from the historic little city of Winchester to the dazzling white cliffs of Beachy Head overlooking the seaside town of Eastbourne. For much of its length this delightful National Trail meanders along the crest of the Downs, with far-reaching views northwards over the patchwork fields, woods and villages of the Weald and southwards to the sea, but the route also dips into the beautiful river valleys cutting through the Downs and visits some very pretty villages with their friendly old pubs, thatched cottages and gardens bursting with flowers.
History is an ever-present companion to the South Downs Way. The route follows ancient tracks established some 5000 years ago when Stone Age man began to cultivate the Downs and mine for the flint from which he made tools. Later settlers all left their marks on the land in the shape of Bronze Age barrows; Iron Age hill forts; Roman tracks; Saxon churches; Norman churches, cathedrals and castles; deserted medieval villages; and the dew ponds created as watering holes for the great flocks of sheep that grazed on the Downs in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Highlights of the trail include the beautiful cathedral city of Winchester, the Capital of Saxon England; the downland viewpoints of Beacon Hill, Butser Hill, Bignor Hill, Ditchling Beacon and Firle Beacon; the 'Jack and Jill' windmills; the Devil's Dyke, a vast dry valley said to have been carved by Satan to let the sea flood the Weald and destroy all the churches; the picturesque villages of Exton, East Meon, Buriton, South Harting, Amberley and Alfriston; the exhilarating sense of space on top of the Downs; Alfriston's parish church, the 'Cathedral of the Downs'; the 'smallest church in England' at Lullington; the marvellous variety of wildflowers and butterflies found on the sheep-grazed pastures of the Downs; the huge Bronze Age barrows known as the Devil's Jumps; and the spectacular clifftop walk over the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.
Holiday Highlights
- Following the impressive chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex.
- Exploring the history along the trail, from Winchester Cathedral to Bronze Age Barrows.
- Arriving in Eastbourne to breath-taking views from Birling Gap, Seven Sisters Cliffs and Beachy Head.
South Downs Way
A walk along the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex from Winchester in the West to Eastbourne on the East Coast.
| Total Distance | 100 miles (160 km) |
| Start and Finish | Winchester to Eastbourne |
| Availability | All Year |
click on a photo to enlarge
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDW1 | 7 nights, 6 days walking | £515 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| SDW2 | 8 nights, 7 days walking | £585 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| SDW3 | 9 nights, 8 days walking | £655 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| SDW4 | 10 nights, 9 days walking | £725 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| SDW5 | 11 nights, 10 days walking | £800 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. In the event of an illness or injury where you are unable to walk, the tour price also includes lifts to your next accommodation. | |||||
Don’t have the time for the complete walk?
We also offer The South Downs Way in two sections, giving those with less time the opportunity to complete the trail in stages.
We also offer the South Downs Way - Short Break. Beginning and ending in the charming village of Alfriston, this short walk takes in the beautiful Cuckmere River, the smugglers' haunt of Cuckmere Haven, the dramatic chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head as well as the rolling Downs above Wilmington. Stone Age flint mines, Bronze Age barrows, dew ponds, the Long Man of Wilmington and the picturesque villages of Litlington, West Dean and Jevington add to the interest of this superb walk.
South Downs Way - West Section
A walk from Winchester to Amberley along the Chalk South Downs Escarpment.
| Total Distance | 47.5 miles (76 km) |
| Start and Finish | Winchester to Amberley |
| Availability | All Year |
The West section of the South Downs Way runs from the cathedral city of Winchester, to the beautiful village of Amberley. The trail takes in the Hampshire Downs and West Sussex as it crosses rolling fields and woodland along the route of the chalk South Downs escarpment.
Leaving the historic city of Winchester, home to one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, the way crosses the summit of Old Winchester Hill. Here, the landscape is brimming with history, from Bronze Age barrows to the settlement of a Celtic Chieftain.
The trail then continues over a variety of landscapes, stopping in idyllic English villages such as Cocking and Buriton, before reaching its end in Amberley. Here, the picturesque village, nestled between the South Downs escarpment and the River Arun, offers the perfect end to this stunning section of the South Downs Way.
Holiday Highlights
- Enjoying the peaceful surroundings, but remaining less than an hour from London.
- Exploring sites steeped in history, such as Old Winchester Hill with its Iron Age hill fort.
- Admiring the beautiful thatched cottages on arrival in Amberley.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWW1 | 4 nights, 3 days walking | £305 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| SDWW2 | 5 nights, 4 days walking | £380 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| SDWW3 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £460 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. | |||||
South Downs Way - East Section
A walking holiday from Amberley to Eastbourne along the Chalk South Downs Escarpment.
| Total Distance | 52.5 miles (84 km) |
| Start and Finish | Amberley to Eastbourne |
| Availability | All Year |
The East section of the South Downs Way begins in Amberley and continues along the chalk escarpment of the South Downs until it reaches the white chalk cliffs of Eastbourne. The trail crosses open fields and agricultural land as the chalk cliffs fall away to reveal far reaching views of the English Channel.
On the approach to Lewes, sites of interest such as Devil’s Dyke and Jack and Jill Windmills can be seen, while Lewes itself offers a wealth of history, from its castle, the house of Anne of Cleves and a 15th century bookshop. The trail continues along the ridge of the escarpment to Alfriston in the Cuckmere valley, famed for its ancient buildings and lush surroundings.
Soon, the trail reaches the traditional seaside town of Eastbourne, where there are wonderful views along the coast and a wealth of things to explore, including Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Cliffs. The dramatic scenery around Eastbourne is a memorable way to complete this section of the South Downs Way.
Holiday Highlights
- Admiring the spectacular views from the white chalk cliffs and over the English Channel.
- Exploring the idyllic village of Alfriston, nestled in the beautiful Cuckmere Valley.
- Arriving in Eastbourne to a memorable finale of high cliffs and dramatic coastline.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWE1 | 5 nights, 4 days walking | £380 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| SDWE2 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £460 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. | |||||
South Downs Way - Short Break
A circular trail from Alfriston via the Seven Sisters Cliffs, Beachy Head and Eastbourne.
| Total Distance | 18 miles (29 km) |
| Start and Finish | circular trail beginning at Alfriston |
| Availability | All Year |
This short break follows a circular trail that takes in the dramatic white chalk cliffs between the picturesque village of Alfriston and the traditional English seaside town of Eastbourne. From Alfriston, this impressive two-day walk takes the South Downs Way footpath along the Cuckmere River, before entering the Seven Sisters Country Park and following an undulating course over the breath-taking Seven Sisters Cliffs, Birling Gap, Beachy Head and into Eastbourne. On the return section, the way passes inland to follow the bridleway route via Jevington, a quaint village nestled in a streamless valley. Beautiful views over the rolling South Downs are a fitting end to this superb short break as the trail arrives back in Alfriston.
Holiday Highlights
- Admiring the dramatic coastal views from the Seven Sisters Cliffs, Birling Gap and Beachy Head.
- Walking through a variety of scenery, from the rolling South Downs to far reaching coastal panoramas.
- Experiencing the most spectacular section of the South Downs Way in just two days.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWSB | 3 nights, 2 days walking | £240 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. | |||||
